Seating bracket

ABSTRACT

A seating bracket for connection to a base having a top surface and a vertical side surface to support a seat and a back joist adjacent to the seat. The bracket may include a generally horizontal top portion for supporting the seat and a generally horizontal bottom portion for connection to the top surface of the base. First and second side portions may extend between and be connected to the top and bottom portions and may support the top portion above the bottom portion. The first and second sides may both be inclined with respect to vertical. Upper and lower back joist support portions may be connected to the first side portion adjacent for receiving the back joist and holding the back joist in a generally upstanding position. The lower back joist support portion may include a downwardly extending portion below the bottom portion for connection with the vertical side surface of the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of seating devices and in particularto a bracket for supporting a seat and back joist of a bench-type deckseat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bench-type seats are widely used in many different forms. Depending upontheir use, bench-type seats are fabricated from a wide variety ofmaterials and in many different configurations.

The following U.S. patents show examples of different forms ofbench-type seats: Schoenbecke, U.S. Pat. No. 855,817; Huebner, U.S. Pat.No. 897,371; Bokan, U.S. Pat. No. 1,618,803; Boller, U.S. Pat. No.2,025,088; Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 2,095,625; Ryan et al, U.S. Pat. No.2,171,374; Bayes, U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,916; and Boisvert, U.S. Pat. No.4,285,542.

There is a continuing need for inexpensive, simple-to-construct, sturdy,yet attractive bench-type seats which can be used in conjunction withdecks, patios, benches, and the like. The construction of the bench-typeseats should be as simple as possible, so that they can be simplyassembled by any do-it-yourselfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided aseating bracket for connection to a base having a top surface and avertical side surface to support a seat and a back joist adjacent to theseat. The bracket may include a generally horizontal top portion forsupporting the seat and a generally horizontal bottom portion forconnection to the top surface of the base. First and second generallyvertical side portions may extend between and be connected to the topand bottom portions and may support the top portion above the bottomportion. The first and second sides may both be inclined with respect tovertical. Upper and lower back joist support portions may be connectedto the first generally vertical side portion adjacent for receiving theback joist and holding the back joist in a generally upstandingposition. The lower back joist support portion may include a downwardlyextending portion below the bottom portion for connection with thevertical side surface of the base.

The generally horizontal top portion may include a hole therein forpermitting connectors to connect the seat to the top portion. Thegenerally horizontal bottom portion may include a hole therein forpermitting connectors to connect the bottom portion to the top surfaceof the base. The upper and lower back joist support portions may eachinclude a hole for permitting connectors to connect the support portionsto the back joist.

The upper and lower back joist support portions may hold the generallyupstanding back joist substantially parallel to the first generallyvertical side portion.

The first and second side portions may be parallel with one-another.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a seatingbracket for connection to a base having a top surface and a verticalside surface to support a seat and a generally upstanding back joistadjacent to the seat. The bracket may include a quadrangular portionhaving a top portion for supporting the seat, a bottom portion forconnection to the top surface of the base, and first and second sidesextending between the top and the bottom portions. The first and secondsides may both be inclined with respect to vertical.

The lower back joist support portion may have a downwardly extendingportion below the bottom portion for connection with the vertical sidesurface of the base. The upper and lower back joist support portions mayhold the back joist substantially parallel to the first side portion.

The quadrangular portion, upper and lower back joist support portion anddownwardly extending portion may be a unitary structure.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a deckseat for connection to a deck floor having a top surface and a verticalside surface. The deck seat may include a plurality of bracketsconnected to the deck floor at spaced positions.

Each bracket may include a quadrangular portion having a top portion forsupporting the seat, a bottom portion for connection to the top surfaceof the deck floor, and first and second sides extending between andconnected to the top and the bottom portions. The first and second sidesmay both be inclined with respect to vertical and may be parallel withone-another. Upper and lower back joist support portions may beconnected to the first side portion for receiving the back joist andholding the back joist substantially parallel to the first side portion.Seat planks may extend between each bracket and be supported on the topportions of the quadrangular portions of each bracket. A plurality ofback joists proximate the seat planks may extend through the upper andlower back joist support portions and may be supported at its bottom endby a downwardly extending portion below the bottom portion. Backsupports may be connected to and extend between the back joists at aposition above the brackets.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided aseating bracket for connection to a base having a top surface and avertical side surface to support a plurality of seat planks and a backjoist adjacent to the plurality of seat planks. The bracket may includea generally horizontal top portion for supporting the plurality of seatplanks, a generally horizontal bottom portion for connection to the topsurface of the base, and first and second side portions extendingbetween and connected to the top and bottom portions and supporting thetop portion above the bottom portion. The bracket may further include anupper back joist support portion connected to the first side portionadjacent to the top portion for receiving the back joist and holding theback joist in a generally upstanding position, and a lower back joistsupport portion connected to the first side portion adjacent to thebottom portion for receiving the back joist and holding the back joistin a generally upstanding position. The generally horizontal top portionmay have a plurality of holes aligned lengthwise along the horizontaltop portion for permitting connectors to connect the seat to the topportion. The plurality of holes may be spaced apart from one-another toaccommodate various widths of the plurality of seat planks.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided aseating bracket for connection to a base having a top surface and avertical side surface to support a plurality of seat planks and a backjoist adjacent to the plurality of seat planks. The bracket may includea generally horizontal top portion for supporting the plurality of seatplanks, a generally horizontal bottom portion for connection to the topsurface of the base, and first and second side portions extendingbetween and connected to the top and bottom portions and supporting thetop portion above the bottom portion. The bracket may further include anupper back joist support portion connected to the first side portionadjacent to the top portion for receiving the back joist and holding theback joist in a generally upstanding position, and a lower back joistsupport portion connected to the first side portion adjacent to thebottom portion for receiving the back joist and holding the back joistin a generally upstanding position. The lower back joist support portionmay include a base and an elevating member connected to the base forelevating the back joist away from the platform. The elevating membermay be a ribbed member connected atop of the platform.

Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to thedetailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims thatfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by referenceto the drawings thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a section of bench-type seatconnected to an outdoor deck using a seating bracket of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the seating bracket of FIG. 1 wherein thefront and rear views are the same;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the seating bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the seating bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left-hand side view of the seating bracket of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a right-hand side view of the seating bracket of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a bench-type deck seat 10 which utilizes the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, deck seat 10 is supported above deck 12by brackets 14, which are located at spaced positions around theperiphery of deck 12. For ease of illustration, only two brackets 14support deck seat 10, although deck seat 10 may comprise a number ofother brackets spaced around the periphery of deck 12.

Deck 12 is formed by deck joists 16, which are, for example, 2×10 or2×12 joists set on edge. Deck planks 18 are arranged horizontally toform the top surface of deck 12. Deck planks 18 may be, for example, 2×8or 2×10, planks arranged side-by-side across the deck to form the topsurface of deck 12.

Bench-type seats 10 include seat planks 20, which are attached to thetop of brackets 14 and which extend between at least two of the spacedbrackets. Seat planks 20 may be, for example, 2×6 or 2×8 planks whichare supported on the top of brackets 14.

The back portions of seats 10 include back joists 22, which are held bybrackets 14 and which extend generally upwardly. As shown in FIG. 1,back joists 22 are slightly inclined with respect to vertical andsupport back support planks 24, which are attached and extend betweenthe upstanding back joists 22. In one preferred embodiment, back joists22 are 2×4 planks.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the seating bracket of the present inventionin greater detail. Bracket 14 is a bracket having a quadrangular portionformed by bottom 30, top 32, and first and second sides 34 and 36.Bottom 30 and top 32 are generally parallel and are generally horizontalwhen bracket 14 is attached to deck 12. First side 34 is slightlyinclined with respect to vertical at an angle which defines the angle ofinclination of back joists 22. Second side 36, is also inclined withrespect to vertical and may be parallel to first side 34 as illustrated.

To provide rigidity and strength to the bracket 14, the bracket includeswebbing 42 connected to top and bottom 30, 32 and first and second sides34, 36.

An upper back joist support portion 44 is connected to the first side 34adjacent to the top 32 and a lower back joist support portion 46 isconnected to the first side adjacent the bottom 30. Upper supportportion 44 includes tabs 48 and 50 connected to the first side 34.Similarly, lower support portion 46 includes tabs 52 and 54 connected tothe first side 34. A seat face portion 49 extends downwardly from topportion 32 and is connected to second side 36 via webbing 42.

To provide a platform for back joists 22 to rest upon, lower supportportion 46 further includes a base 55 connected to the first side 34 andbetween tabs 52 and 54. As water accumulated on base 55 may rot backjoists 22, the base may include means to elevate the back joists awayfrom the base. This may be a a ribbed member 57 connected atop of thebase 55.

Tabs 48, 50, 52 and 54 are horizontally spaced apart to accommodate backjoists 22. Tabs 48, 50, 52 and 54 and base 55 are dimensioned to receiveback joists 22.

A downwardly extending portion 56 extends from the lower support portion46 below the bottom 30 for connection to deck joists 16 to furthersecure the bracket 14 to the deck 10. To provide rigidity and strengthto the downwardly extending portion 56, a spine 58 is connected thereto.

Operation

Various connecting means, such as fasteners, nails and adhesives may beused to attach bracket 14 to deck 12, and connect seat plank 20 and backjoist 22 to bracket 14. Holes 60 in bottom 30 of the bracket permitsfasteners (not illustrated) to connect bracket 14 to the top surface ofdeck plank 18. Fasteners through holes 62 connect downwardly extendingportion 56 to the side surface of the deck joists 16. Seat plank 20 maybe attached to bracket 14 by fasteners which extend through a pluralityof holes 64 in top portion 32 of bracket 14.

Seat planks 20 may be of various dimensions, for example, 2×6 or 2×8planks. Traditional deck bench brackets have holes in a top portionequally spaced apart from one-anther to accommodate either a 2×6 plankor a 2×8 plank, but not both. The present invention addresses this issueby providing a plurality of holes 64 variously spaced apart fromone-another lengthwise along top portion 32. For example, the holes maybe placed along top portion 32 a horizontal distance away from seat faceportion 49 as follows: First hole 1h  20 mm Second hole 2h  50 mm Thirdhole 3h  95 mm Fourth hole 4h 139 mm Fifth hole 5h 189 mm Sixth hole 6h239 mm

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that specific locations ofholes 64 along top portion 32 will vary according to plank sizes, lengthof top portion 32 and local building code design parameters.

Fasteners extend through holes 66 in tabs 48 and 50 of upper back joistsupport portion 44 to connect back joist 22 to the first side 34.Fasteners also extend through holes 68 in tabs 52 and 54 of lower backjoist support portion 46 to also connect back joist 22 to the first side34. Back joist 22 may have its bottom surface cut at an angle so thatthe bottom surface rests generally flat and in contact with base 55 oflower support portion 46.

It can be seen that the bracket of the present invention is low cost andeasy to fabricate and may be fabricated from a unitary structure out ofplastic, metal or other rigid material.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the use of the bracket 14 of the presentinvention yields a deck seat around the edge of the deck which canreplace the conventional deck railing. Bench-type seats 10 provide alarge amount of seating around the deck, while also acting as a guardrail.

Although the embodiment specifically shown in FIG. 1 is a deck 12 towhich the bench-type seats are attached, the present invention may alsobe used in conjunction with benches or other structures. All that isrequired is that bracket 14 be attached to a suitable base.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A seating bracket for connection to a base having a top surface and avertical side surface to support a seat and a back joist adjacent to theseat, the bracket comprising: a generally horizontal top portion forsupporting the seat; a generally horizontal bottom portion forconnection to the top surface of the base; first and second sideportions extending between and connected to said top and bottom portionsand supporting said top portion above said bottom portion, said firstand second sides being inclined with respect to vertical; an upper backjoist support portion connected to said first side portion adjacent tosaid top portion for receiving the back joist and holding the back joistin a generally upstanding position; and a lower back joist supportportion connected to said first side portion adjacent to said bottomportion for receiving the back joist and holding the back joist in agenerally upstanding position.
 2. The seating bracket of claim 1 whereinsaid lower back joist support portion has a downwardly extending portionbelow said bottom portion for connection with the vertical side surfaceof the base.
 3. The seating bracket of claim 1 wherein said generallyhorizontal top portion has a hole therein for permitting connectingmeans to connect the seat to said top portion, said generally horizontalbottom portion has a hole therein for permitting connecting means toconnect said bottom portion to said top surface of the base, and whereinsaid upper and lower back joist support portions each have a hole forpermitting connecting means to connect said support portions to the backjoist.
 4. The seating bracket of claim 1 wherein the upper and lowerback joist support portions hold the generally upstanding back joistsubstantially parallel to said first side portion.
 5. The seatingbracket of claim 1 wherein said first and second side portions areparallel with one-another.
 6. A seating bracket for connection to a basehaving a top surface and a side surface to support a seat and agenerally upstanding back joist adjacent to the seat, the bracketcomprising: a quadrangular portion having a top portion for supportingthe seat, a bottom portion for connection to the top surface of thebase, and first and second sides extending between said top and saidbottom portions, said first and second sides being inclined with respectto vertical; an upper back joist support portion connected to said firstside portion adjacent to said top portion for receiving the back joist;and a lower back joist support portion connected to said first sideportion adjacent to said bottom portion for receiving the back joist. 7.The seating bracket of claim 6 wherein said lower back joist supportportion has a downwardly extending portion below said bottom portion forconnection with the vertical side surface of the base.
 8. The seatingbracket of claim 6 wherein said upper and lower back joist supportportions hold the back joist substantially parallel to said first sideportion.
 9. The seating bracket of claim 6 wherein said quadrangularportion, upper and lower back joist support portion and downwardlyextending portion are a unitary structure.
 10. The seating bracket ofclaim 6 wherein said first and second side portions are parallel withone-another.
 11. A deck seat for connection to a deck floor having a topsurface and a vertical side surface, the deck seat comprising: aplurality of brackets connected to the deck floor at spaced positions,each bracket comprising: a quadrangular portion having a top portion forsupporting the seat, a bottom portion for connection to the top surfaceof the deck floor, and first and second sides extending between andconnected to said top and said bottom portions, said first and secondsides being inclined with respect to vertical; an upper back joistsupport portion connected to said first side portion adjacent to saidtop portion for receiving the back joist and holding the back joistsubstantially parallel to the first side portion; a lower back joistsupport portion connected to said first side portion adjacent to saidbottom portion for receiving the back joist and holding the back joistsubstantially parallel to the first side portion; seat plank meanssupported on said top portion of said quadrangular portion of eachbracket and extending therebetween; a plurality of back joists proximatesaid seat plank means extending through said upper and lower back joistsupport portions and being supported at its bottom end by a downwardlyextending portion below said bottom portion; and back support meansconnected to and extending between said back joists at a position abovesaid brackets.
 12. A deck seat for connection to a deck floor having atop surface and a vertical side surface, the deck seat comprising: aplurality of brackets connected to the deck floor at spaced positions,each bracket comprising: a quadrangular portion having a top portion forsupporting the seat, a bottom portion for connection to the top surfaceof the deck floor, and first and second sides extending between andconnected to said top and said bottom portions, said first and secondsides being parallel with one-another and inclined with respect tovertical; an upper back joist support portion connected to said firstside portion adjacent to said top portion for receiving the back joistand holding the back joist substantially parallel to the first sideportion; a lower back joist support portion connected to said first sideportion adjacent to said bottom portion for receiving the back joist andholding the back joist substantially parallel to the first side portion;seat plank means supported on said top portion of said quadrangularportion of each bracket and extending therebetween; a plurality of backjoists proximate said seat plank means extending through said upper andlower back joist support portions and being supported at its bottom endby a downwardly extending portion below said bottom portion; and backsupport means connected to and extending between said back joists at aposition above said brackets.
 13. A seating bracket for connection to abase having a top surface and a vertical side surface to support aplurality of seat planks and a back joist adjacent to the plurality ofseat planks, the bracket comprising a generally horizontal top portionfor supporting the plurality of seat planks, a generally horizontalbottom portion for connection to the top surface of the base, first andsecond side portions extending between and connected to said top andbottom portions and supporting said top portion above said bottomportion, an upper back joist support portion connected to said firstside portion adjacent to said top portion for receiving the back joistand holding the back joist in a generally upstanding position, and alower back joist support portion connected to said first side portionadjacent to said bottom portion for receiving the back joist and holdingthe back joist in a generally upstanding position, said generallyhorizontal top portion having a plurality of holes aligned lengthwisealong said horizontal top portion for permitting connecting means toconnect the seat to said top portion, said plurality of holes beingspaced apart from one-another to accommodate various widths of theplurality of seat planks.
 14. A seating bracket for connection to a basehaving a top surface and a vertical side surface to support a pluralityof seat planks and a back joist adjacent to the plurality of seatplanks, the bracket comprising a generally horizontal top portion forsupporting the plurality of seat planks, a generally horizontal bottomportion for connection to the top surface of the base, first and secondside portions extending between and connected to said top and bottomportions and supporting said top portion above said bottom portion, anupper back joist support portion connected to said first side portionadjacent to said top portion for receiving the back joist and holdingthe back joist in a generally upstanding position, and a lower backjoist support portion connected to said first side portion adjacent tosaid bottom portion for receiving the back joist and holding the backjoist in a generally upstanding position, said lower back joist supportportion comprising a base and elevating means connected to said base forelevating the back joist away from said platform.
 15. The seatingbracket of claim 14 wherein said elevating means comprises a ribbedmember connected atop of said platform.